Decal Tool

Decal Tool
Buy Now - $2.49 / £1.99 / 2.37€
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Basic Information
Released:	October 13, 2011 Patch (Manniversary Update & Sale)
Availability:	Drop, Purchase or Uncrate (bonus)
Tradable:	Yes
Giftable:	Yes
Craftable:	No
Available Qualities
Unique
Loadout Stats
Decal Tool Level 5 Tool Add a custom decal to eligible items. This is a limited use item. Uses: 1

“

LEARN HOW TO DEBATE EFFECTIVELY WITH DECALS. Apply any user-generated texture to certain items! It is a whole new way to influence people and hurt them. — Decal Tool publicity blurb

”

The Decal Tool is a tool item. It is represented by a red utility knife on top of a slightly peeled-off red decal sticker of the Team Fortress logo.

This item can be used to apply a custom texture (or 'decal') onto items that allow it. Purchasing any item that the Decal Tool can be used on from the Mann Co. Store also gives players one free Decal Tool.

While using the tool, the player is guided through the steps to get their image onto the item. The file types accepted are:

• .bmp
• .jpg
• .png
• .tga
• .vtf

Oversized or odd aspect ratio images can be stretched or cropped to fit the 128x128 square. Depending upon the item, the decal is applied differently; check the specific item page to see a template for the most efficient decal templates. Once the decal has been chosen, the image can be filtered using different options ("Team Fortressize!") and finally applied to the item.

Applying the Decal Tool on the Conscientious Objector adds small blood stains and wood details on top of the custom image being used.

It is worth noting that, with the removal of the Painterly effect, players can no longer create full colored decals and are instead limited to a maximum of five or so colors. Items that had a decal applied before the painterly effect was removed still retain their original color.

Decals can be removed from an item to restore it to its default appearance by selecting the item in the Backpack and clicking 'Restore'. However, the Decal Tool used on the item is not returned to the player.

Lastly, any image applied with the decal tool must comply with the Steam Subscriber Agreement as stated in the Terms of Service when you apply your decal.

Usable items

• Flair!
• Photo Badge
• Clan Pride
• Conscientious Objector

Update history

October 13, 2011 Patch #1 (Manniversary Update & Sale)

• The Decal Tool was added to the game.

October 17, 2011 Patch

• Removed the painterly filter option on Decal Tools.

April 18, 2024 Patch

• Fixed an exploit related to uploading invalid custom decals that would crash other clients.

July 18, 2024 Patch (Summer 2024 Update)

• Added ConVar tf_hide_custom_decals to allow clients to disable viewing custom decals on items
  • Added "Hide Custom Decals" checkbox to the Advanced Options dialog in the Miscellaneous Options category

Notes

• Custom decals from users can be disabled by checking "Hide Custom Decals" in the Advanced Options menu, or by setting tf_hide_custom_decals to 1.

Bugs

• Decalable items may have the incorrect decal in client view if multiple people have same decalable items on the same server.
• Items that have been used with a Decal do not show the Decal in the trading interface to either trader.
• The item with the decal showed in the dialogs can't be rotated.
• Despite being a valid file type, .vtf files cannot be used for applying decals.

Gallery

• 

  The prompt that appears when selecting your decal.

• 

  The second step, to make your decal fit into the game.

• 

  The Terms of Service that you have to agree to when using the Decal Tool.